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Jim Mason · Guest

easyJet congratulates Environment Minister for taking on the laggards of
the industry

easyJet Press Release

Posted with express permission of the easyJet Press Office.

easyJet congratulates Environment Minister for taking on the laggards of
the industry

In todayâ€™s Guardian, Environment Minister Ian Pearson criticised a number
of airlines for not taking carbon emissions seriously enough and for
stalling progress on the inclusion of aviation into the EU Emission Trading
Scheme.

Among the airlines criticised by Mr Pearson were the big American operators
that are opposed to the inclusion of intercontinental flights, as proposed
by the European Union. Ryanair, British Airways and Lufthansa were also
under the spotlight for their rather lukewarm response to the proposed
Emission Trading Scheme.

Andy Harrison, easyJet Chief Executive, gives the following comments:

â€œWe congratulate Mr Pearson for his clear words and for refraining from
lumping all airlines together. In contrast to most other airlines, easyJet
has not only welcomed a carbon trading scheme, but has also called on the
European Parliament to bring in tougher legislation sooner.â€

â€œThe EU must discourage airlines from flying old, half-empty aircraft and
must prevent non-EU airlines from getting a free ride. That is why easyJet
wants to see an Emission Trading Scheme that includes all flights in and
out of Europe, and we want to see it as soon as possible. easyJet flies
brand new aircraft with high passenger loads which mean that we emit 30%
fewer emissions per passenger kilometre than a traditional airline.â€

â€œBut the Government must rise to the challenge as well. The EU Emissions
Trading Scheme is the right way for aviation to balance its huge economic
and social benefits with its environmental impact â€“ rather than national
governments imposing ineffective, inefficient taxes, such as UK Air
Passenger Duty, to give the impression they are doing something. To make
aviation more efficient, we urge EU governments to finally agree on a
reform of Europeâ€™s inefficient Air Traffic Control system and to stop all
state aid given to ailing national carriers.â€

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